Evaluation & Assessment

Using Data to Inform Instruction

The use of evaluation and assessment tools to improve student achievement has become a best practice and integral part of collecting demographic, achievement, process, and perception data. In this Thing, you will learn about the resources for data collection and analysis at the classroom level. These online assessment tools and resources provide students the needed experiences in the classroom that replicate some online testing environments, as well as allow teachers the opportunity to collect data and inform instruction. A basic understanding of formative (assessment for learning) and summative (assessment of learning) is critical!

As you consider online assessment in your own classroom, features like video, multimedia, interactives and online editing tools (the highlighter in Google Docs or Word) are valuable means for educating and assessing. Being aware of assessment resources specific to your school and/or state such as; data warehouses, test items/item banks, and Smarter Balanced or PARCC materials, will also add connections to successful online assessment practices.

The Legalities of Data

It is important that educators understand the laws that govern the collection, sharing, and access to school data. The Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA) protects the privacy of student education records. Health Insurance Portability Accountability Act (HIPAA) protects individuals health information, and patient rights regarding health and safety.

Take the pre-test, review the help sheet, and then complete the post-test column. How did you do? For a presentation that takes you through this section (video, pre/post, and stop/think activities, click here .

The Types of Data Collected in Education

There are four types of data collected in education: demographic, achievement (academics), process, and perception. In most states schools are required to track and report this data as part of their school improvement reporting. Check out the examples of each data type and get more information about how these data types are collected in education. (Image source: Lisa Guzzardo Asaro, Facilitators of School Improvement, Macomb ISD).

Using Technology for Classroom Data Collection

Review this T3PD Model by clicking on each box in the model to locate technology tools and resources available to support you in collecting Perception, Progress Monitoring, Performance, and Demographic data.

Technology infused data collection increases educator productivity, as well as efficiency. In addition, it provides many benefits to students: connections to standards and alignment, immediate feedback, and increased engagement. However, one of the biggest benefits comes from replicating online/high stakes testing experiences.

Learning Objectives

Know educational data collection types and the FERPA/HIPAA guidelines that govern its collection

Understand how to access and collect data by selecting an appropriate assessment resource

Make connections with technology standards and best practice

Transfer the learning to professional practice by applying these resources to shape instruction and address professional needs

Assignment

21 Things Hands-On Activity and Assignment:

1. After completing the pre and post FERPA/HIPAA quiz, reflect on something you learned and include one or two specific examples.

2. Review the types of data collected and the T3PD Data Model. Consider the types of tools to gather data. Briefly describe a plan to integrate these tools into your student experiences. How will these experiences replicate the online testing environment, build technology skills, and/or inform your instruction?

3. Create an online assessment that measures one type of data. Administer it to at least one group of stakeholders (e.g. class, department, parents, etc.) and share a link to the assessment in your portfolio. Briefly explain how using online assessment tools will make a difference in your classroom or setting?

21Things4Teachers is a project of the Regional Educational Media Center Association of Michigan. The REMC Association promotes the transformative use of technology and provides Michigan schools with access to educational resources to help teachers increase student success. For more information, visit remc.org, or connect with the REMC Association on social media at, facebook.com/REMCAssociation and twitter.com/REMCAssociation.